The measure, called Question 3, prompted heated debate in the months leading up to the election. Central Maine Power and Versant Power, the state’s dominant utilities, poured more than $40 million into a campaign opposing the referendum, outspending Pine Tree Power advocates 34 to 1. Political groups funded by the utilities and their parent companies mailed flyers and aired ads on TV, radio, and social media, urging Mainers to reject the measure, which would have effectively put the two companies out of business.
They put a large man in a hard hat and a flannel on TV and in a heavy Central Maine accent he said "Government run power is too expensive for us taxpayers"
The voters also killed a constitutional amendment to remove a provision that was ruled illegal in federal court 20 years ago and hasn't been enforced since.
Edit: They actually voted against two constitutional amendments to bring our laws in line with federal law